BK: How long have you been in the music business?
Rick: I’ve been playing for a living for 22 years. The last time I had a day job was 12 years ago, but it was always music-related.

BK: How did you end up in Bangkok?
Rick: First I came here just as a backpacker in 1999, and while a lot of places have great beaches and great food, the people are why I came back. They’re very chilled out and cool, very welcoming to tourists.

BK: Do you think American-style music has appeal here?
Rick: The feedback I’ve gotten so far is that people dig it. I would like more people to hear it. There is a mix of stuff on there, something for everyone.

BK: What are the challenges of being a foreigner in the Bangkok music business?
Rick: Finding places to play, finding an audience. In Bangkok, there are limited venues where foreigners can play.

BK: Music can bridge cultures. Has your music connected American and Thai culture in any way?
Rick: I specifically made the first song the one that is easiest for Thais to listen to. It is similar to some Thai rock sounds. So my plan was to have people find that song and then hopefully listen to the other styles and expose themselves to something they haven’t listened to before, like an American country song.

BK: In your song “Krungthep (City of Angels),” you said you planned to go home when there were riots here. What made you stay?
Rick: I think the in the long-term, the future is bright here; I am optimistic about the future in Thailand. That song is available for free on my Facebook, I want to give it out to Thai people. It’s written for them.

BK: What’s your next plan after the album, and what is your biggest dream?
Rick: I am going to keep writing, I am going to try to promote this, try to get it heard as much as possible and hopefully do some shows with some Thai artists. But I’d be happy playing in the house band in my own beach bar 20 years from now, so long as it’s music. That’s a funny thing I get asked by people here, “How long are you going to do music?” As if it’s not a real job or a noble profession. I mean, that’s what I do. What else am I going to do? Interview by Carissa Devine